A Wokingham dance school as a triple reason to celebrate this New Year – one of their student’s has just finished performing in the West End and they have been nominated for four awards. Not only that but their principal is also getting married later this year!
Oliver Benson, aged nine, from Lower Early trains at the prestigious Steppin Out Stars of tomorrow theatre school for children In Wokingham.
Back in October Oliver was lucky enough to be selected to play the little boy in the West End production of The Snowman. He went through a vigorous audition process and the role was shared with two other boys.
The production was sold out and resided at the Peacock Theatre in the West End for two months running up to December 29th.
Oliver said: “Being in the show was an amazing experience. The cast and crew were so friendly. My favourite part was learning to fly! And one of my highlights was when all my friends from Steppin Out came on my final performance.”
Mum Louise said: “It has been incredible watching our son in the West End. None of this would have been possible without the five years of training he has had at Steppin Out. The variety of performances he has had at the school during this period has been invaluable and certainly helped him develop his confidence to perform on a big stage!”
Oliver is now busy auditioning for his next big role but it has to be kept a secret for now! So watch this space.
Shelley Otway, Steppin Out’s CEO and Principal said: “Oliver deserves all the success he has. He is extremely hard working and dedicated and has a natural talent. I cried my eyes out watching him in The Snowman. It is such a lovely show anyway but seeing one of our students up there on that huge stage and playing such a big part was incredibly emotional! I was so very proud!”
Shelley has run her incredibly successful theatre school for children Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow in Wokingham for 15 years and Woodley for 14 years. She worked professionally as a singer, dancer and actress before setting up her school at Emmbrook in Wokingham and Bulmershe in Woodley back in 2009.
“I cannot believe we will be celebrating 15years of running classes in the area this year,” she
said. “There isn’t much we have not come across – venues flooding, having to use the zoom platform for over 60 classes a week during Covid, children being sick and having to train others at short notice for shows. This just scratches the service of just some of the challenges I have
faced!
“I love my job she says, it’s my passion so I never feel like I am going to work. My dad always said do something you love and you will never work a day In your life and I so feel like that.
Back in February 2023 Shelley met a business coach at a networking event. Since then she saysshe has never looked back.
The coach, Sarah Grimsdick from My Profit Team, put Shelley up for several awards. She believed in her and said her business should be celebrated. “Shelley is a dream client. She is passionate about her business and is open to new ideas. When Shelley puts her mind tosomething she gets it done and some! I am delighted for her that her hard work and dedication have been recognised.”
Shelley went on to win Best Businesswoman working with children and families in 2023 at The Best Businesswoman awards in London’s West End and Theatre School of the year 2023/24 at The Prestige Awards.
“Collecting the award at The Hilton in London was incredible and so exciting. Being up on
stage with so many other successful businesses was so rewarding and I never for one second thought we would win!”
Shelley has done it again and this time has been shortlisted for not one but four awards at The Thames Valley Business awards 2024 at The Hilton in Reading on 25th Januarypresented by Sports Olympian Fatima Whitbread.
The categories Shelley has been nominated for are Best Business, Best Business leader, Best Female Entrepreneur and The Lifetime Achievement award (The latter only being open to businesses who have run for 10 years or more!”
Shelley said “It is so amazing to celebrate not just the success of the school but it’s lovely for my students as well. I also ensure they all get a treat as well!”
Shelley lives in Shinfield with her fiancé Rob and her daughter Aiyana. Rob and Shelley are due to get married in May this year! “2024 has a lot to be celebrated,” she laughed!
Steppin Out stars of tomorrow run classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. To book a trial call Shelley on 07970 034488 or visit www.steppinoutstars.co.uk
